of the year for president obama. and one of the questions is whether he can move the needle of public opinion and congress to avoid that sequester. david axelrod, his longtime strategist, thinks it's possible. but he's by no means sure. >> i don't know the answer to whether the sequester will take effect. it obviously was designed to be a self-impeaching device. because the results of the sequester are so negative in so many different ways. but -- and as you know, washington tends to work on deadlines. so i think the next three weeks are going to be important. i know that there's a glum mood in washington about that, but -- about getting something done before march 1st, but i'm still holding out hope that reason will prevail and people will come to the table and do what the country wants them to do. which is compromise in a balanced way and move forward. >> reporter: and of course the key is going to be whether the president can convince practical minded republicans like tom cole who you're about to talk to to accept